You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8
 
Some people mistake the ability to witness, or share Christ, with the power of a Spirit filled witness. Being a witness with power is not the same as having the ability to speak about Christ.

There is a story in the book of Acts of some men who were impressed when they saw the apostles doing great miracles in the name of Jesus and tried to cast out a demon in the name of Jesus. The demon cried out, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15). The evil spirit then attacked them and beat them severely.

There is a difference between knowing the name of Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit through faith in that name. God has given the command to every believer, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit there is power in their witness that convicts the unbeliever. One morning I saw the power witness of a Spirit filled life. A young man gave his heart to the Lord because of the witness of another young man whose life he had seen changed by the power of God.

Your witness must be more than the words you speak. Words alone will not cause people to change. To be effective our witness must be filled with power. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”
  
Prayer: Lord, make me a power witness by filling me with your Holy Spirit. Fill me daily with your Spirit. In Jesus name, amen.
 
Message:  Some people mistake the ability to witness, or share Christ, with the power of a Spirit filled witness. When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit there is power in their witness that convicts the unbeliever.
  
Affirmation:  I not only want to witness to others about Christ but I want my witness to be empowered by the Holy Spirit so that those who hear will be convicted and receive Christ.
  
Reflection:   What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What are some of the evidences or signs that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit? How has the Holy Spirit affected your life?

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. - 2 Timothy 2:23-24
 
I have a friend who some have said is a very negative person. He was telling me one time that people keep telling him that he is too negative and he responded, “I am not negative, I am positive. I positively believe that if you don’t do it my way you will go to hell.” Needless to say, this man often had to argue his way out of many situations.
Arguments do not come from knowing you are right, but from trying to get others to agree that you are right. Arguments lead to bad feelings between friends and brothers and they will produce resentment.
Paul is instructing Timothy on some of the finer points of being a leader. There are times when a leader must look at the bigger picture and realize that reaching the goal of encouraging another is more important than contending for a point in an argument.
A wise servant of the Lord will be kind to everyone, gently teaching kingdom principles. The truth we have is of no value to others if we present it in such a way that it causes resentment.
Practice teaching the truth with kindness.
 
 Prayer:  Father, grant me a gentle spirit so that I can teach others your way and lead them into your righteousness. Give me the wisdom to teach the truth with kindness. In Jesus name, amen.
Don’t Argue – Be Kind
  
Message:  There are times when a leader must look at the bigger picture and realize that reaching the goal of encouraging another is more important than contending for a point in an argument. A wise servant of the Lord will be kind to everyone, gently teaching kingdom principles.
  
Affirmation:  Helping others understand the principles behind Scriptural doctrine in more important than trying to convince them I am right.
 
 Reflection:  One reason that there are thousands of denominations in Christianity is because so many people feel like everyone else should agree them on their “hobby horse” doctrines. Paul is addressing that issue in this passage of Scripture. Think of some ways you can teach without being negative about other people.
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